December 3: Letters To the Editor

I truly believe that not only Iran, but the rest of the world is laughing at the U.S. over this supposed “historic” nuclear weapons agreement (“A deal to regret,” Nov. 26).

This so-called deal is a prime example of political arrogance. You cannot resolve every problem with diplomacy. What happened here is that we gave Iran six months and released $7 billion for it to use to complete its nuclear program. Maybe the next step will be to offer them some missile technology to deliver their “peaceful” nuclear weapons.

The only thing that has changed in Iran since the 1979 hostage taking is that the hatred of the West and Israel has grown under the leadership of its presidents and its supreme leader. If history has shown the world anything, it is that you cannot reason with madmen and religious fanatics.

— Allen Bonfilio, Holbrook

Keep monsters jailed

The fact that John Burbine would opt for a type of castration, as opposed to a lengthy sentence, speaks volumes (“Sex offender offers to castrate himself for lighter sentence,” Nov. 20). He is not saying he’s sorry, and he does not wish to fully pay for his heinous crimes against children. He wants a quicker way out. He’s not disputing the charges, his lawyer says. He deserves nothing. Nor does his wife, if she is found guilty. No leniency for either should be allowed.

Let the healing begin, and keep monsters behind bars.

— Gail Petrosevich, East Bridgewater

Website woes contagious

President Obama has repeatedly said that Obamacare was modeled after the Massachusetts health reforms, Romneycare. Apparently, Gov. Deval Patrick decided to return the compliment by mirroring the federal healthcare.gov website’s problems (“State had promised model health care website,” Nov. 22). Now the Massachusetts website is riddled with glitches, too.

—Mark Poirier, Pawtucket, R.I.

Smoking ban absurd

This ban on smoking in the city’s parks is completely absurd (“Smoking out true motive,” Nov. 25). First we are talking about a legal product. Second we are not talking about an enclosed space, but rather the open air. I can’t in any way see how so-called second-hand smoke can affect anyone in the open air.

We have many pollution-causing agents in our city including car exhaust, industrial pollution, and chemical agents. What about those?

— Stephen Laverty, South Boston

City just seeking cash

Here’s the whole reason behind this ridiculous ban on smoking in the parks: Fewer people are actually smoking, which translates to less in revenues from sin taxes (“Smoking out true motive,” Nov. 25).

The $250 fine — for every violation — proves that the city’s looking for cash. And including electronic cigarettes, which emit no smoke at all, is even more ridiculous. What’s next, extending the ban to parking lots? This ban on lighting up in the parks just goes way too far.